“It has been announced today that Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment of His Royal Highness The Duke of York as Colonel, Grenadier Guards, in succession to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who retires with immediate effect.

On behalf of the Regiment, I congratulated The Duke of York on his appointment. As some of you may know, He visited the 1st Battalion in Aldershot at the end of October when He was warmly welcomed by all ranks. It was a tremendously successful visit and we now look forward to Him getting to know the rest of the Regiment in short order. I look to all members of the Regiment to help and play their part in making Him feel welcome.

At the Regimental Council meeting on 7th November, anticipating an imminent change of Colonel, I took the opportunity to thank The Duke of Edinburgh for all that he has done for the Regiment in the 42 years he was Colonel, in particular his patronage of the Colonel’s Fund which has so successfully raised and distributed funds to those in need. His has been a strong legacy, and we have been the richer for his wise counsel and consistent support. As I reminded him though, whether serving or retired, “Once a Grenadier, always a Grenadier”.

The Queen has kindly agreed to our request to mark the change in Colonel with a small parade, even suggesting we hold it in Windsor early next year. Planning is underway, and the Regimental Adjutant will keep us all posted on our part in it.

With my best wishes

Roly”

The Grenadier Guards Association is Registered Under the Charities Act, 1960 No.287265